Agents assigned to the area, approximately three miles east of the Calexico Port of Entry, observed a man running north from the international border fence. Agents approached the man and determined that he was illegally present in the United States. Agents arrested the man and transported him to the El Centro Station for processing.

Record checks revealed that the individual, Luis Rangel-Rea, a 57-year-old Mexican national, is a convicted sex offender.

Rangel-Rea had a felony rape conviction from 2008 in Santa Rosa, California. He was sentenced to 32 months in jail. Record checks also revealed that Rangel-Rea was previously removed in December of 2015.

“Thankfully we were able to apprehend this man before he made it to the interior of the United States,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Our agents are keeping heinous criminals like Rangel off the streets.”

The man will be criminally prosecuted for Re-Entry after Removal as a convicted sex offender.

In fiscal year 2019, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have arrested and removed six convicted sex offenders attempting to enter the United States illegally.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.